Premium
Metoclopramide for patients with intractable hiccups: a multicentre, randomised, controlled pilot study
Author(s) -
Wang T.,
Wang D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.12542
Subject(s) - medicine , hiccups , metoclopramide , adverse effect , placebo , randomized controlled trial , confidence interval , anesthesia , vomiting , alternative medicine , pathology
Background Limited data exist regarding the efficacy of metoclopramide in the treatment of intractable hiccups. Aim This study aimed to assess the feasibility efficacy of metoclopramide in the treatment of patients with intractable hiccups. Methods A total of 36 patients with intractable hiccups was randomly assigned to arm A ( n = 18) or arm B ( n = 18) in a multicentre, double‐blind, randomised, controlled pilot study. Participants in arm A received 10‐mg metoclopramide thrice daily for 15 days, whereas those assigned to arm B received 10‐mg placebo thrice daily for 15 days. The primary outcome measure was total efficacy against hiccups (including cessation and improvement of hiccups). Secondary outcome measures included a comparison of overall efficacy and adverse events between the two arms. Results Of the 36 patients enrolled, 34 participants completed the study. The total efficacy was higher in arm A than in arm B (relative risk, 2.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.09–6.94, P = 0.03). Furthermore, comparison between the two arms revealed that overall efficacy was higher in arm A than that in arm B ( P < 0.05). No serious adverse events related to the treatment were documented in either arm. The most common adverse events occurring in patients in arm A included fatigue, upset mood and dizziness. Conclusion Metoclopramide appears to be a promising candidate for the treatment of patients with intractable hiccups, with mild adverse events. However, further clinical trials are required to confirm these results.